Confusion is our Teacher
Embracing Uncertainty: How I Learned to Navigate Life's Confusion and Transform Personally
2018 was a year I'll never forget—it was the year I cried more than I ever thought possible.
There was no apparent reason for the tears, yet they were always right there under the surface. I would have told anyone who asked that I was "fine," despite feeling like I was a bit stuck and stagnant.
Turning Tears into Transformation: A Year of Unexpected Growth
My life felt directionless at that time. I had no clear goals, no real plans, and a pervasive sense of stagnation. However, a turning point came when a friend invited me to an event that introduced me to the Modern Elder Academy (MEA). It was there, on a beautiful beach in Baja, watching whales frolic, that I began to understand the depth of my unacknowledged emotions.
The Lesson of Confusion
Despite my years as a coach, nothing had prepared me for the personal confusion I encountered. I enjoyed my work, but I lacked a clear vision for my future, which filled me with uncertainty.
This confusion, I would learn, was not an obstacle but a necessary phase of personal growth. The state of not knowing was precisely where I needed to be.
Navigating the Fog: Insights from a Soul Journey
The "Soul Journey" retreat at MEA taught me invaluable lessons about quieting the mind and listening to my inner voice. This process of gaining clarity was gradual, and required me to embrace silence and introspection.
Sharing the Wisdom
Recently, I shared these lessons with a group of fifty women who echoed my feelings of confusion and uncertainty. We celebrated these feelings—not as signs of weakness, but as indications of imminent personal growth a signal that something wonderful is coming.
Lighting Up the Dark: How to Cope with Not Knowing
If you find yourself struggling with uncertainty, here are some strategies that I find most helpful:
Acknowledge Your Feelings: Realize that it's perfectly normal to feel disoriented. This confusion isn't a breakdown, nor are you falling apart; it's an expansive space where you can discover endless opportunities. Let yourself explore these feelings without judgment or pressure.
Take a Deep Breath: Stability starts with physical well-being. Focus on deep, calming breaths to reduce stress and anxiety. Create a routine that includes plenty of rest, nutritious meals, hydration, and gentle exercise to help support your body's natural ability to cope with stress. But more than anything else, use breathing as a reset whenever you feel yourself overcome with emotion.
Celebrate the Moment: Use this time of confusion as a chance to grow and learn about yourself. Each moment of uncertainty is paving the way for new understandings and possibilities. Throw a metaphorical party in your honor because this confusion means you're evolving.
Quiet the Noise: In our digital age, we're bombarded by constant voices and opinions. Make a conscious effort to reduce your social media consumption and focus on what your heart and gut are truly saying. This can be a transformative experience that allows you to reconnect with your own desires and needs.
Embrace Surrender and Trust: It can be frightening not to know what's coming next, but there's freedom in surrender. Let go of the need to control every outcome and trust in the journey. Embracing this can lead to a profound sense of peace and a clearer vision when the time is right.
Stay Curious and Open: Curiosity is your greatest tool when facing the unknown. Approach new experiences with openness and a willingness to learn. This can dramatically shift your perspective and potentially lead to opportunities that you might never have considered otherwise. Be ready to say YES!
Navigating through times of uncertainty doesn't have to be a daunting journey. By embracing the unknown and learning to live with ambiguity, we can find substantial personal growth and clarity. The next time you feel lost, remember these strategies and remind yourself that each step into the unknown is a step towards understanding yourself and the world around you better.
We all find ourselves in times of turbulence and uncertainty; and when they pass, something new has emerged.
